established Qin dynasty, was a brutal but effective ruler - crushed regional resistance, built Great Wall, started national census

Legalism

system of political thought that favored authoritarianism; ruled by force

Confucianism

arose out of political turmoil after collapse of Zhou, purpose to bring peace & order by emphasizing personal virtues - was ethical, not religious

Daoism

emphasizes living in harmony with nature and to bend to it's will, made compatible with Confucianism by having priests included expressions of loyalty to emperor (was tolerated b/c political activity was not encouraged)

Rice

year round farming created need for rigid social hierarchy

Mauryan Empire

- Chandragupta/Ashoka- formed to fight against Alexander the Great- promoted Buddhism

Ashoka v. Shi Huangdi

- autocracy- use of military to keep empire in check and expand outwards- introduced different system of thinking to gov't: buddhism/legalism (better received)

-Siddartha Gautama- reincarnation- rejected caste system & materialism; therefore not as widely accepted- four noble truths (1. to live is to suffer, 2. the root of suffering is desire, 3. eliminate desire, 4. eightfold path) to escape from rebirth cycle